7 - Life Cycle Assessment

Summary

Production and consumption of goods entails generation of obvious and several unseen environmental externalities and burden. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) essentially includes a detailed analysis of the life cycle of a product or a process in relation to externalities generated [Yuracko and Morris, 2001]. One of the first terms used for such an exercise was Life Cycle Analysis. Recently, two terms viz., Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), apart from Life Cycle Inventoiy (LCI) have also been in use.

This analysis is aimed at assessing burdens created by the product or process on the environment. LCA normally centres on 1) determination of associated flows of energy and materials; 2) relating environmental impacts and stresses to various stages of production process and consumption of the product; and 3) identification of appropriate interventions to improve environmentally significant attributes. Efforts are currently focused on defining boundaries of analysis and harmonization of approaches for carrying out LCAs [Graedel and Allenby, 1995].

Whichever name is used to describe it, LCA is considered as a useful tool to potentially assist regulators formulate environmental legislation, help manufacturers analyze their processes and improve their products. Like most tools, it must be used with certain clarity of purpose. Life Cycle Analysis and Assessment is being expanded lately to lend support to the development of eco-labelling schemes, which are operating or planned in a number of countries around the world.